44 golfdigest.com | may 2019
The Golf Life Golfers We Like
Photographs by Atiba Jeffersonhow’d you get into golf?
It was a bet. We were in the stu-
dio, and my boy starts talking
crazy. He’s a fashion designer
who grew up playing with his
dad. He says golf ’s too hard for
me. Bets me 10 grand that I
can’t make a birdie in two years.
At this point, the only golfers I’d
heard of were Tiger Woods, Phil
Mickelson and Arnold Palmer,
and him only because of the
drink. In less than 10 rounds
I made a birdie, sank about a
70-foot putt, and it was over.
● ● ●
he hooked you.
That first day, I was addicted.
Coming from baseball, I
couldn’t believe I could hit it so
bad. I tried again and again.
I finally hit one good, and then
I hit three in a row dead straight.
I thought I knew everything in
the world because no one taught
me how to play. But I haven’t hit
three balls that straight since.
Now I’m playing five to six days
a week. I can’t find people who
play as much. Two days a week,
I’m playing alone.
● ● ●
what do your fans and
friends think of your
golf habit?
When people think of golf,
they think of retirement. Old,
corny, white. Shake hands after
the round, shirt tucked in, take
your hat off—all that corny s--t
a rapper would never do, espe-
cially one with diamond teeth
who smokes 24/7. But I’ve met
lots of people on the course
just like me who just don’t post
pictures. People say, “Bro, get
off the golf course and into the
studio.” But bro, I’m in the
studio eight days a week. I got
a studio in my house. I’m rap-
ping on the course. I came up
with half my new album while
I was playing. They have noidea how the game opened up
my mind. I was in a dark place,
and golf got me inspired again.
When I’m in the studio, creat-
ing some dope song that peo-
ple are going to listen to long
after I’m dead, it never crosses
my mind to snap a photo. Dear
fans, don’t worry, I’m not going
pro. I’ve played with a pro
golfer, and it would take me
two lifetimes. I’d need to start
over twice.
● ● ●
tony finau in the pro-am
at riviera, right?
That was sick as hell. He’s a cra-
zy player. Drives it 2,000 yards
and looks like he’s just sweeping
the floor. And I could relate to
him as a man of color. He didn’t
grow up extremely rough in the
projects or anything, but I can
tell he’s deep in his roots and
hasn’t changed who he is.do you take your clubs
when you go on tour?
Hell, yeah. Last summer
on tour my assistant booked
a course every day. She looks
up courses online, and she
knows I need the best of the
best of the best. I try not to
pay less than $200. I played
a bunch of tour courses.
I played where they had the
Canadian Open [Glen Abbey
Golf Club, outside Toronto].
Shot an 82 at that mother! I had
three birdies, hella pars, a cou-
ple doubles.
● ● ●
kobe!
[Laughs.] Yeah, I was Kobe
Bryant that day!
● ● ●
that your best round ever?
I had an 82 on my course once.
Also an 83 and an 84. I think I
made three hit records on my
new album on those days, know
what I’m saying, dawg? Golf can
change your whole mood.▶drive for show “I came up with half my new album while I was playing,” says rapper ScHoolboy Q.